7 Most Interesting Facts In La Brea Tar Pits History

The tar pits in Hancock Park located one of the most distinctive Los Angeles attractions, are huge pits of oil and tar that date back to the Ice Age. During this time, prehistoric animals, insects and plant life became trapped in the pits and perfectly preserved as fossils that can be seen at the George C. Page Museum today. Seven interesting facts about the La Brea Tar Pits are listed below.

1. Remains of the Dire Wolf are the oldest fossils found to date and have been tested and are expected to be nearly 44,000 years old.

2. The most common fossils found in the La Brea Tar Pits are the remains of the Dire Wolf, Saber Tooth Cat and Coyotes.

3. Nearly 2,000 fossils and remains of saber tooth cats have been excavated since 1913.

4. The digging and excavating still continues in the La Brea Tar Pits. In 2006, a construction crew found new fossil deposits while constructing a new underground parking lot. Construction was immediately halted and the area was cordoned off and Project 23 was developed.

5. Over 1 million fossils can be seen at the Page Museum.

6. An elaborate excavating system is utilized to unearth each fossil. First a grid is laid to track where each set of bones is found in the La Brea Tar Pits. Next, dental tools, hammers and chisels are used to pick dirt away from the bones. The fossils are then measured and the data is recorded.

7. A Pleistocene Garden is located in Hancock Park that mimics the landscape of the prehistoric time in Los Angeles Basin, around 10,000 to 40,000 years ago. If you are in search of romantic things to do in Los Angeles, try taking a slow walk through this garden with your loved one.

Los Angeles museums are very popular, but the Page exhibits are extraordinarily unique. A scheduled visit here can be a wonderful and educational day trip for things to do in Los Angeles with kids.